306 FISHES OF THE FIRTH OF FORTH. 



feed on fresli-water shells, Gammari (screws, or fresh-water 

 shrimps as they are sometimes called), are of the most bril- 

 liant tint, and also of the finest flavour, with a decided pink- 

 ness in their flesh. Those feeding on the ordinary water 

 insects are next in brilliancy and flavour, while such as live 

 chiefly upon aquatic vegetables, are dull in colovu", and of 

 soft consistence." 



The average growth of trout found in lowland streams, is 

 from half to three-quarters of a pound ; occasionally they 

 may be taken weighing a pound, but one a pound and a half, 

 and from that to two pounds, is considered a prize to the 

 angler. We sometimes hear of trout being taken the weight 

 of fifteen, twenty, and even five and twenty pounds, but these 

 are of rare occurrence. 



Trout deposit their ova in the shallows in the early part 

 of November, and when that operation is completed, they 

 retire to deep water, where they conceal themselves during 

 the colder months. 



This fish is found in every burn and river entering the 

 Firth of Forth, qnd is extensively distributed over the 

 whole of northern Europe. 



Salmo CiECiFER.* — The Lochlevkn Trout. 



Specific Characters. — Vomerine teeth extending' the whole way; 

 caudal fin lunate : body without red spots. (See Plate XXX.) 



Description. — From a specimen a foot in length. Head rather 

 more than one-fifth of the whole length ; caudal fin included ; depth 

 between the dorsal and ventral fins less than the length of the head. 

 Gill-cover produced behind ; basal luargin of the operculum oblique ; 

 preoperculum rounded ; end of the maxillary' extending back as far 

 as the posterior margin of the orbit. Colour of the back deep olive- 

 green ; sides lighter ; bellyi,incliningto yellow ; pectorals orange^, tip- 

 ped with grey ; dorsal and caudal fins dusky ; ventral and anal fins 



* Salmo Lcvenensis, Vi^'alker ; Salmo ccecifer, Parncll. The caca being 

 TTiore numerous in this species than in any of its congeners. 



